1. Wolves in the living room – how the wolf evolved into of the domestic dog
2. The secret life of an eel
3. Is an owl really wise?
4. A day in the life of a Beluga Whale
5. Why Dolphins jump out of the water
6. Cats and lions – how do they compare?

Teacher Amira’s Suggestions(related to the curriculum):

1. Where does chocolate come from & why that matters

2. Who are the Aboriginals & why we should care

3. How young people help society

4. The rights of children

5. The importance in learning Black History

6. The kind of education I want . . .

7. Why competition is a good / bad thing (you choose)

8. How to be a great Canadian

* Email me if you have your own suggestion on a topic and I will give you the green light, or suggest a different topic.

Marking Scheme The system below will be a guide for both speakers and judges alike:

PART 1 – Material (40 points)

A) Treatment of Topic
Introduction………………………………………………..3
Knowledge of subject ………………………………….4
Idea content………………………………………………..3
Organization of material……………………………….3
Development of material………………………………3
Recapitulation and conclusion……………………….4

Introduction
– immediately engages the audience’s attention
– relates the topic to self and to audience
– sates the main idea of speech and previews main points

Organization / Development of ideas
– displays the main ideas in a logical and memorable manner
– development of the speech supported by relevant examples, verbal illustrations, facts, or analogies, which justify or elaborate to make the main ideas clearer
– points are bridged by smooth transitions that enhance clarity and blend ideas to present a unified whole

Composure/Confidence
– speaks with enthusiasm and assurance, showing interest in the audience and confidence in their reactions.
– avoids distracting mannerisms and phrases, (“Um” etc.)

Body language / facial expression / eye contact
– spoken naturally with minimal use of cue cards (NO reading!)
– gestures appear natural and are synchronized with the voice
– the audience’s eyes are engaged and facial expressions are used for emphasis and effect

Voice and tone quality
– voice is flexible, moving from one pitch to another for emphasis
– rate of speech and volume vary to create interest and impact
– voice can be clearly heard, with the words easily understood